Nostalgics on the Washington DC Mall

It may surprise you to know that two nostalgic cars currently reside in museums along Washington DC’s famed National Mall. And why not? Nostalgics have become part of American life and history, just like any other vehicle.

First up is the 1977 Honda Civic CVCC on display at the Smithsonian. We expect a first-gen Civic to inhabit the Honda Collection Hall in Japan, but the most famous museum in the nation’s capital?

To be more specific, it’s in the National Museum of American History’s transportation hall as part of an ongoing exhibit called America on the Move. It shares this distinct honor with vehicles such as a 1950 Buick Super 8, Studebaker Starlight Coupe, Fageol Twin Coach, 1930s Dodge school bus, and wood-paneled 1955 Ford Country Squire wagon. That’s pretty good company, and not a bad accomplishment for an old hatchback! You can read more about the Smithsonian-owned Civic here.

The other one is a Datsun 710 at the Newseum in slightly less well kept condition. That’s because it was turned into a car bomb that took the life of journalist Don Bolles. At the time, Bolles was investigating corruption in Phoenix, Arizona. The assassins rigged six sticks of dynamite to the ignition, which blew a hole right through the floorboards, critically injuring Bolles, who died later in the hospital. The car sat in an Arizona police yard for 28 years until it was discovered and donated to the Newseum as a reminder of the dangers journalists can face.

7 Responses to Nostalgics on the Washington DC Mall

“As a reminder of the dangers journalists can face.” Ben, Dan…I think you should buy one of those bomb sniffing robots for the Cressy…..you never know when the Grim Reap might come after you for taking pics of his ride!

wow, I thought that kind of stuff was only for the movies O.O
That datsun is still mint, minus the bomb damage, lol I dont think I could ever drive a car I knew someone died in like that tho.
Nice civic to, I’ve always had a soft spot for those for some reason. There is one on my local kijiji for $500 in really nice shape, but its in pieces. You get all the pieces tho, lol

“John Harvey Adamson pleaded guilty in 1977 to second-degree murder for building and planting the bomb that killed Bolles. Adamson accused Phoenix contractor Max Dunlap, an associate of Kemper Marley, of ordering the hit, and Chandler plumber James Robison of triggering the bomb. Adamson testified against Dunlap and Robison, who were convicted of first-degree murder in the same year, but whose convictions were overturned in 1978. When Adamson refused to testify again, Adamson was charged and convicted of first-degree murder in 1980 and sentenced to death, which was overturned by the Arizona Supreme Court. In 1989, Robison was re-charged, and re-tried and acquitted in 1993, but pleaded guilty to a charge of soliciting an act of criminal violence against Adamson. In 1990, Dunlap was re-charged when Adamson agreed to testify again, and was found guilty of first-degree murder.